In case you weren’t aware, I would be more than happy to remind you that March is Women’s History Month: A month declared to tell the stories of women throughout history that you may have heard of, and others that you may not have heard of! During this month, I suggest that anyone and everyone should brush up on their women’s history knowledge and become more aware of our hardships, accomplishments, and much more.
Now, let’s talk about the TV and film industry. It’s not a secret that the industry is male-dominated, however, there are so many amazing women there that deserve to have their work shine and attract mass audiences. For Women’s History Month, I will give you an array of movies and TV shows that were either directed, created, or written by women. As an aspiring filmmaker and TV writer, building this list inspired me, and I hope it can inspire you as well. Enjoy these TV shows and movies, and happy Women’s History Month!
Films
- Promising Young Woman (2020) written and directed by Emerald Fennell
- Lady Bird (2017) written and directed by Greta Gerwig
- American Psycho (2000) directed by Mary Harron
- Love and Basketball (2000) written and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood
- Mudbound (2017) directed by Dee Rees
- Bend it Like Beckham (2002) written and directed by Gurinder Chadha
- We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011) Lynne Ramsay
- Clueless (1995) written and directed by Amy Heckerling
- 13th (2016) written and directed by Ava DuVernay
- The Parent Trap (1998) directed by Nancy Meyers
- Carrie (2013) directed by Kimberly Peirce
- Queen and Slim (2019) written by Lena Waithe, directed by Melina Matsoukas
- The Edge of Seventeen (2016) written and directed by Kelly Fremon Craig
- Jennifer’s Body (2009) written by Diablo Cody, directed by Karyn Kusama
- John Tucker Must Die (2006) directed by Betty Thomas
- Fresh (2022) written by Lauryn Kahn, directed by Mimi Cave
- Zola (2020) written by A’Ziah King, directed by Janicza Bravo
TV Shows created and/or directed by women
- Normal People (2020) (series) adapted from Normal People by Sally Rooney
- Insecure (2016-2021) created by Issa Rae
- Search Party (2016-2022) created and directed by Sarah Violet Bliss
- Betty (2020-2021) created by Crystal Moselle
- Derry Girls (2018-) created by Lisa McGee
- GLOW (2017-2019) created by Liz Flahive & Carly Mensch
- Fleabag (2016-2019) created by Phoebe Waller-Bridge
- Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015-2019) created by Tina Fey
- Scandal (2012-2018) created by Shonda Rhimes
- New Girl (2011-2018) created by Elizabeth Meriwether
- A Black Lady Sketch Show (2019-) created by Robin Thede
- Chewing Gum (2015-2017) created by Michaela Coel
- Black Mirror, Season 4, Episode 2: “Arkangel” (2017) directed by Jodie Foster
- Élite (2018-) directed by Silvia Quer
- Atypical (2017-2021) created by Robia Rashid
- High Fidelity (2020) (series) created by Sarah Kucserka & Veronica West
- 30 Rock (2006-2013) created by Tina Fey